Taboos around money conversations can keep us financially stuck for decades. In this enlightening discussion with Iffy Ibekwe, Vice President and Senior Trust Officer at Arvest Wealth Management, we unpack why financial literacy matters and how community-based education can transform our relationship with money.

Iffy shares the origin story of her popular Money Moves Book Club and the successful financial literacy conference she organized that attracted nearly 180 attendees hungry for knowledge. The conversation reveals how our "money stories" - beliefs inherited from family and community - profoundly shape our financial behaviors, often without our awareness. These unexamined narratives can keep us trapped in cycles of shame, anxiety, and avoidance when it comes to our finances.

We explore the changing landscape of money management across generations, from checkbooks to digital payments, and discuss the challenges parents face in teaching financial concepts to children who view money as increasingly abstract. Iffy provides practical guidance on starting your financial journey, emphasizing the importance of simply looking at what you have as a crucial first step many people avoid.

The discussion takes a deep dive into trust and estate planning, with Iffy drawing on her background as an estate planning attorney to explain why everyone has an "estate" regardless of wealth level. Her insights on how proper planning can prevent family conflicts during times of grief offer powerful motivation for getting your financial affairs in order.

Whether you're just beginning to examine your relationship with money or looking to optimize your wealth management strategy, this conversation provides valuable perspective on building a financial team and taking that crucial "next right step" in your journey. Listen now to gain the confidence and knowledge to break through financial taboos and take control of your financial future.